Sushant Singh Rajput from 'RAW' to Abhishek Bachchan from 'Paltan': The ‘In’famous walkouts!

There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip. Who knows this better than the filmmakers, who make grand announcements of their movies with specific actors, only to be left in the lurch later. Early this year, Vidya Balan opted out of the Kamala Das biopic due to creative differences with the director. Then there was news about Parineeti Chopra walking out of choreographer Bosco Martis’s directorial debut, Circus, apparently because she was not given a bound script. There are also instances of directors and actors working on a film together, announcing their next, even before the one they are doing hits the theatres! And when the film has failed to click, the actors have backed out due to ‘date issues’. From Sanjay Dutt turning his back on the Good Maharaja to Abhishek Bachchan opting out of Paltan, here’s a list of the walkouts..

SANJAY DUTT

THE GOOD MAHARAJA

It was when he was shooting for his comeback movie Bhoomi with Omung Kumar that Sanjay Dutt and the director collaborated for another film. Even before the release of Bhoomi, the maker announced The Good Maharaja with Sanjay in the titular role. The film is based on Maharaja Jam Sahib Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, who gained fame for providing refuge to hundreds of abandoned Polish children during World War II. Even the first look of Sanjay in a regal avatar was released with Omung saying in an interview, “We have photographs of the Maharaja for reference. We will take certain creative liberties, but are trying to keep things as authentic as possible. Sanjay looks regal and it was his idea to do this role and I wanted to direct it because it’s a superb story.” 

However, the film hit a roadblock when the heirs of the Maharaja sent a legal notice to the makers. Soon after that, Sanjay opted out of the film. Now, if that’s got to do with the poor performance of Bhoomi at the box office is something only Sanju baba can tell. 

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN

PALTAN

Nobody saw this coming, especially director JP Dutta, who launched Abhishek in Refugee! After their last outing in Umrao Jaan, the director and actor were reuniting in the war drama Paltan. In fact, Abhishek was the first to sign the film, which has an ensemble cast that includes Suniel Shetty, Arjun Rampal, and Sonu Sood among others. However, in a shocking move, the night before the team was to leave for Ladakh for the first schedule of the shoot, Abhishek walked out of the film. While the reason for his exit hasn’t been made official, several theories from Dutta facing financial issues to not having a complete script have been making the rounds. Your guess is as good as ours.

SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

RAW

In March this year, the makers of Rome Akbar Walter (RAW) released a poster of Sushant Singh Rajput announcing the film with the tagline — Our hero, their spy? It was obvious that Sushant will be playing a secret agent in the film. However, within five months, there was news about Sushant opting out of the film due to changes in his prior commitments! “I wanted to be part of the project because I love the story, and believe it must be told, but that will not happen,” he said in an interview. This obviously didn’t go down well with producer Bunty Walia, who lashed out against him, saying, “I have no idea why Sushant opted out. I asked him and he gave us no answer. Maybe he didn’t like my face or my co-producer’s face. Or maybe he likes the faces of those whom he prefers to work with.” However, all that is water under the bridge as the latest buzz is that the two have patched up. Phew!

SONAKSHI SINHA

CIRCUS

In June this year, Sonakshi was roped in to play the protagonist as a trapeze artiste in Circus after Parineeti opted out. The film which marks the directorial debut of choreographer Bosco Martis would have had Suniel Shetty playing her father. Both had to learn skills like gymnasts and acrobats for the film. However, now, we hear, Sona has also walked out of the film. While the reasons are not clear Sona confirms, “I am not doing Circus anymore.” Bosco will have to start his search all over again.

JOHN ABRAHAM, TAMANNAAH BHATIA

CHOR NIKALLKE BHAGA

In March this year, there was news about John and Tamannaah coming together for a film called Chor Nikallke Bhaga. John was in a cop’s role, while Tamannaah was to essay an air hostess, but they were not romantically paired. To be directed by Amar Kaushik, the film had Rajkummar Rao playing a parallel lead and the love interest of Tamannaah. It was being co-produced by John and Prernaa Arora. However, within two months, both John and Tamannaah opted out of the film. Last heard, Kartik Aaryan had stepped into John’s shoes, while the search for the heroine is still on.

ARJUN KAPOOR

FARZI

When Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK were filming A Gentleman, there were reports about them finalising their next movie, Farzi. Arjun Kapoor was said to be doing the film with Kriti Sanon. But within a few days, there was news about Arjun opting out and recommending his cousin, Harshvardhan Kapoor. Arjun, who was prepping for his Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, apparently, had date issues. Now, whether A Gentleman faring badly at the box office had anything to do with Arjun’s decision to not do the heist thriller is anybody’s guess.